Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho wants to buy Chelsea's 31-year-old left-back Ashley Cole - out of contract next summer - in January.
Ashley Cole
Is Cole set to wave farewell to the Blues?
Manager Roberto Di Matteo, though, has told the Chelsea board that he wants midfielder Frank Lampard, 34, and Cole - who are both in the final year of their contracts - to remain at the club and hopes that Lampard can see out the remainder of his career at Stamford Bridge.
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has blocked Sheffield Wednesday's attempt to land England Under 21 striker Connor Wickham, 19, on loan.

OTHER GOSSIP

QPR manager Mark Hughes, whose team face Southampton at the weekend in a clash of the Premier League's bottom clubs, says he is angry and the "whole club is angry" at their start to the season.
Defender Chris Smalling, 22, believes Manchester United are being driven by fear of another trophy-less season.
Former Netherlands midfielder Edgar Davids, 39, now a player-manager of League Two Barnet, says Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini lacks people skills and describes ex-England manager Fabio Capello as a tactical genius.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed goalkeeper Pepe Reina, 30, to regain his place in the Reds starting line-up and prove he is still top class.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted the performance of 22-year-old striker Mario Balotelli in training has not been up to standard.

AND FINALLY

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes is to appear on The Apprentice Asia.